Kerry Spends Night In Swiss Hospital After Cycling Accident

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry remained in a Geneva hospital overnight for observation after breaking his right leg in a cycling accident.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement on May 31, "The secretary had planned on flying back to the U.S. this evening, but after further consultation it was sensible for him to remain in the hospital for observation overnight for purely precautionary measures and fly home tomorrow."

Kirby added that Kerry "continues to be in great spirits and active. He has done a range of phone calls including with the president."

The 71-year-old Kerry, who is an avid biker, broke his right leg in a bicycling accident in France on May 31. He has canceled the remainder of a European tour that was meant to include an international conference on combating Islamic State militants.

Kerry had been scheduled to leave May 31 for Madrid.

Spain and the United States were to formalize an agreement under which Spain will host a permanent force of 2,200 U.S. Marines for deployment on missions to Africa.

Kerry had also been due to meet in Paris on June 1 with Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi as part of a conference on fighting IS militants.

Kirby said Kerry would participate remotely in the Paris conference.

The accident occurred in Scionzier, France, near the French alpine resort of Chamonix.

Kerry had met on May 30 with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Geneva for talks on an agreement to curb Iran's controversial nuclear program, which is due by June 30.

There are heightened diplomatic moves to try to end a 12-year international standoff and put a nuclear weapon beyond Iran's reach.

But Kerry's accident has raised concerns that lengthy rehabilitation could hamper the nuclear talks and other diplomatic initiatives.